John Calvin Commentary James 3:15

"This wisdom is not [a wisdom] that cometh down from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish." — James 3:15 (ASV)

This wisdom does not descend. As hypocrites with difficulty give way, he sharply checked their haughtiness, denying that to be true wisdom with which they were inflated, while they were extremely morose in searching out the vices of others. Conceding to them, however, the term wisdom, he shows by the words he applies to it its true character, and says that it is earthly, sensual, devilish, or demoniac, while true wisdom must be heavenly, spiritual, divine; which three things are directly contrary to the three preceding ones.

For James takes it as granted that we are not wise unless we are illuminated by God from above through his Spirit. Therefore, however much the mind of man may enlarge itself, all its acuteness will be vanity; and not only so, but eventually becoming entangled in the wiles of Satan, it will become wholly delirious.

Sensual, or animal, is in opposition to what is spiritual, as in 1 Corinthians 2:14, where Paul says that the sensual or animal man does not receive the things of God. And the pride of man could not have been more effectually cast down than when whatever wisdom he has from himself, without the Spirit of God, is thus condemned; indeed, when from himself a transition is made to the devil. For it is the same as if he had said that men, following their own sense, or minds, or feelings, soon become a prey to the delusions of Satan.